Month: February 2018

Incident/Complaint#:  50-18-6716

Date/Time:   Tuesday, February 27th, 2018 at 3:06PM

Location: William Henry Middle School, 65 Carver Road, Dover, DE

Officer Releasing Information:   M/Cpl. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer

Narrative:

Two parents were arrested at William Henry Middle School on Tuesday afternoon.  Nathaniel Hampton (26) and Vanessa Alston (33) went to the school at approximately 3:06PM wanting to know where their son was.  Both suspects were shouting profanities and alleging their son had not returned home from school.  Alston also made threats to kill while inside the building.  Officers arrived and the suspects continued to be uncooperative, shouting profanities inside the building where staff and students were still present.  Officers noticed that both suspects smelled of marijuana and appeared to be intoxicated.  Once taken into custody, it was discovered that Hampton had 4.1 grams of marijuana in his possession.  

Once the suspects were in custody, school officials confirmed that their son was on the way back to the school from an out-of-state field trip that the parents previously gave permission for him to attend, knowing the class would return after normal school hours.  The child was picked up by his grandmother upon his return.  

Both Hampton and Alston were charged with the following offenses:
-Disorderly Conduct
-Resisting Arrest
-Public Intoxication

Hampton was also charged with Possession of Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia.  Alston was also charged with Terroristic Threatening.

Both suspects were released on unsecured bond by Justice of the Peace Court 7.

Incident/Complaint#:  50-18-6622

Date/Time:   Tuesday, February 27th, 2018 at 3:10AM

Location: Walgreen’s 1001 Forrest Avenue, Dover, DE

Officer Releasing Information:   M/Cpl. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department is investigating an early morning robbery that occurred at a Walgreen’s store in Dover.  At approximately 3:10AM, two suspects entered the store and walked to the pharmacy at the rear of the business.  Both suspects jumped the counter and confronted the pharmacist, ordering him to open the medicine safe.  The suspects then pushed the pharmacist to the floor and fled with an undisclosed amount of prescription medications.  

The suspects were both described as 18-25 year old black males with one wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and the other wearing a green and black Adidas hooded sweatshirt.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302)736-7130. Callers may remain anonymous. Tips can also be submitted to law enforcement through tip lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or on-line at http://www.tipsubmit.com.

Incident/Complaint#:  50-18-6323

Date/Time:   Saturday, February 24th, 2018 at 12:23PM

Location: Unit Block of S. State Street, Dover, DE

Officer Releasing Information:   M/Cpl. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department arrested Benjamin Wilson (26) on Saturday afternoon on drug and firearms charges.  Officers were originally called to an apartment building in the unit block of S. State Street for a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the building at 10:40AM.  Officers arrived and walked the hallways and determined the odor was coming from apartment four.  Despite their efforts, officers were unable to make contact with anyone in that residence.  As they checked the outside perimeter of the building, an officer was contacted by Benjamin Wilson who inquired why the officers were there.  The officers explained their reasoning and Wilson advised them that apartment four was a vacant apartment and that he lived in apartment two.  When the officer walked back to his patrol vehicle, Wilson quickly left in a black Ford Mustang.  The officer ran the tags and it came back to Wilson, but his residence was listed as apartment four.  Officers checked the area for Wilson’s car but were unsuccessful.  

At approximately 12:23PM, officers checking the area, located Wilson’s vehicle parked in front of the same apartment building.  Officers contacted Wilson, who gave consent to search his apartment.  During an initial search, officers located a 9mm handgun, 4.4 grams of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and 3.0ml of anabolic steroids.  

A second search of the residence conducted by the Drugs, Vice, and Organized Crime Unit, Patrol officers, and the Street Crimes Unit led to the discovery of two 9mm magazines, .10 gauge shotgun, .12 gauge double barrel shotgun, .22 caliber rifle, 602 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 30 rounds of .12 gauge slugs, 150 .22 caliber rounds, and syringes.

Wilson was released on $9,100 unsecured bond on the following charges:
-Possession of Marijuana
-Possession of Controlled Substance (Steroids)
-Tampering with Physical Evidence
-Hindering Prosecution
-Drug Paraphernalia
-Possession of Firearm by Person Prohibited (Drugs)

Incident/Complaint#:  50-18-5597

Date/Time:   Friday, February 23rd, 2018 at 10:57AM

Officer Releasing Information:   M/Cpl. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department is issuing a Gold Alert for 31-year-old Stefphone Powell.  Powell was last seen on Saturday, February 17th and was reported as a missing person on Sunday, February 18th at approximately 11:00AM.  Since then, new information was learned about medical related issue.  Powell was last seen by family in the Dover area, but may have been seen in the Woodside, Delaware area on the 17th or 18th of February.

If you have any information on Powell’s whereabouts, please contact the Dover Police Department at 302-736-7111.

Date/Time:   Wednesday, February 21st, 2018

Location: Multiple Locations (See narrative for details)

Officer Releasing Information:   M/Cpl. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department arrested seven people, including four gang members, on Wednesday afternoon.  The arrests were made by the Dover Police Department, ATF Task Force, and Delaware Probation and Parole, following a drug and firearm investigation.  During the investigation, officers stopped a vehicle in the area of West North Street and Governors Avenue on Wednesday afternoon.  When the vehicle stopped, passenger Jaymere Lewis (22) fled on foot and left three other suspects inside of the car.  As he ran, Lewis threw a loaded .32 caliber handgun which was later recovered by officers.  Lewis was successfully apprehended following a brief foot chase.

Jaleel Wayman (22), Tori Snyder (17), and Michael Taylor (19) were all inside of the vehicle stopped by police and taken into custody.  The suspects were found in possession of 51.9 grams of marijuana and a digital scale.

As a result of the traffic stop, officers obtained a search warrant for an apartment at 74 Par Haven Drive in Dover.  Upon entry into the residence, officers arrested three additional suspects inside.  Karriem Keys (53), Brentney Birkett (23), and Syncere Friends (18) were all taken into custody without incident.  Keys was found with 6.6 grams of marijuana.  Both Birkett and Friends were found with a small amount of marijuana and a loaded .380 caliber handgun which was later found to be reported stolen.

Friends, Lewis, and Wayman were also issued an administrative warrant (Violation of Probation) by Delaware Probation and Parole.

Incident/Complaint#:  50-18-5835

Date/Time:   Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at 11:05AM

Location: Saulsbury Road and Forrest Avenue, Dover, DE

Officer Releasing Information:   M/Cpl. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer

Narrative:

The Dover Police Department has arrested two people on drug and firearms charges following a traffic stop on Tuesday morning.  At approximately 11:05AM, officers from the Dover Police Department assisted by Delaware Probation and Parole stopped a vehicle operated by Larry Benson (29) for driving with a suspended license.  During the stop, the officers detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.  When officers attempt to take Larry Benson and Makia Benson (26) into custody, both became disorderly and uncooperative.  Once both subjects were placed inside of police vehicles, Makia Benson was kicking equipment inside the vehicle and attempted to spit in an officers face.  When an officer attempted to subdue Makia Benson, she continued to resist, causing lacerations on the officers arm.  

Larry Benson was released on unsecured bond on the following charges:
-Possession of Marijuana
-Resisting Arrest
-Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree
-Disorderly Conduct
-Possession of Firearm by Person Prohibited

Makia Benson was released on unsecured bond on the following charges:
-Resisting Arrest
-Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon
-Conspiracy 2nd Degree
-Disorderly Conduct
-Assault 2nd (Law Enforcement Victim)

The Dover Police Department is issuing a warning to citizens after a recent spike in vehicle thefts, specifically those left running/unsecured while the owners are not present.  The practice of leaving your vehicle running unattended, even in your own driveway, significantly increases the chances of your vehicle being stolen as it is a quick and easy target for car thieves.  The risk of a running vehicle being stolen increases even more when that vehicle is left running at a public place such as a convenience store or gas station while the owner walks away for a short time.  The Dover Police Department recommends the following tips to protect you and your vehicle:

• Never leave your car running or the keys in the ignition when you are away from it, even for “just a minute.”
• Keep valuables out of sight or in the trunk. Purses, credit cards, and cell phones in plain view only help attract thieves.
• Always roll up the windows and lock your car, even if it is in your driveway, garage, or in front of your home.
• Never leave the vehicle title in your car. If stolen, it makes it easier for the thief to dispose of your vehicle. It can also make you a target for identity theft.
• Be alert when approaching your car, have a plan of action, and have your keys in your hand. Check around, under, and in your vehicle for suspicious individuals. Immediately leave the scene to get help if you have any concerns for your safety.
• Only park your car in busy, well-lit areas.
  Install a mechanical locking device – commonly called a club, collar, or j-bar – that locks to the steering wheel, column, or brake.
• If your vehicle has an alarm or other anti-theft device, USE IT.

Incident/Complaint#:  50-18-5914

Date/Time:   Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at 1:05AM

Location: Unit Block of Periwinkle Court, Dover, DE

Officer Releasing Information:   M/Cpl. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer

Narrative:

At approximately 1:05AM, officers responded  to the Unit block of Periwinkle Court for a home invasion.  The male victim advised responding officers that two unknown black male suspects that were armed with handguns kicked in the victims door and demanded property from the victim.  The suspects then fled from the residence empty-handed.  The victim advised the suspects were wearing masks to conceal their faces.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302)736-7130. Callers may remain anonymous. Tips can also be submitted to law enforcement through tip lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or on-line at http://www.tipsubmit.com.